General Motors said on Thursday it is adopting more conservative industry volume assumptions than those presented to Congress in light of the ongoing uncertainty of global market conditions.

GM said US total vehicle sales would reach 10.5 million units in 2009. The initial plan included a downside scenario of 10.5 million US sales in 2009 with a baseline scenario of 12 million sales.

GM said global sales would fall to 57.5 million vehicles in 2009, down 6.3 million from the previous forecast. The company also lowered its global industry volume assumptions for 2010-2012.

GM has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. It is now receiving federal help for viability.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)